[Lumbosacral radiculography (myelography) (author's transl)].

A report is given on lumbosacral myelography (radiculography) with special reference to technique and contrast agents used--all based on clinical and experimental experience. The use of water-soluble contrast material is recommended. The non-ionic metrizamide ("Amipaque") seems to be the agent of choice because of its inertia to cause adverse leptomeningeal changes. Also, another non-ionic contrast agent "Jopamidol" seems very promising. The non-ionic contrast media are to be applied in a concentration isotonic to that of the CSF; this is also sufficient to even show fine structures. Though the new contrast media exhibit low neurotoxicity, they are not inert. Therefore, the application of very careful technique and the limitation of amount and concentration of the contrast medium to as low as possible are indispensable. The radiation dose to spine and gonads was found to be tolerable.